The Pedernales River winds through nearly 100 miles of deep, mossy canyons and ancient, limestone cliffs before joining the Colorado River at Lake Travis west of Austin. It remains largely free of development, making it a top priority conservation area. Thanks to a generous gift from a private landowner couple, the Conservancy will launch the Pedernales River Project to protect and conserve this ecologically significant watershed. Modeled after our successful Blanco River program, the Pedernales River project will span three years. Conservancy science and conservation staff will work closely with the River Systems Institute at Texas State University, to undertake a two-year baseline study to determine the inventory and status of aquatic species in the river, as well as water quality, river flow needs and substrate condition. This river study will provide vital information about the current health and diversity of the river and will create a baseline for the future monitoring of our conservation success. The project will also include a comprehensive, communitybased planning effort for the Pedernales River Valley. This critical step is designed to motivate private landowners in the community around the shared goal of protecting the watershed while maintainting the integrity of private lands. With the assistance of conservation buyers, easement donors and landowners, we will continue to conserve the Pedernales watershed for generations to come.